Adjustable film packing device

ABSTRACT

An adjustable film packing device for a roll of film without a reel includes a first tube and a second tube. The first tube has at least a guiding groove formed longitudinally along an outer wall of the first tube. At least one side of the guiding groove is formed with a plurality of positioning recesses spaced away each other and interconnected with the guiding groove. The recesses are substantially in a rectangular shape. A limit tab is provided between each of the recesses and the guiding groove. A positioning block is provided on an inner wall of the second tube and close to the coupling end of the second tube. The positioning block is substantially in a rectangular shape, and is inserted through the guiding groove into one of the plurality of positioning recesses. Thereby, the length of the film packing device is adjustable by means of the positioning block to be located in a different position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an adjustable film packing device for a roll of film without a reel.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In order to avoid an article from falling during transportation, a roll of film is used to pack the article for providing a securing effect. In general, a film reel made of paper is used in the roll of film. The user stretches out his/her hands in two sides of the roll of film as a central axle for operating the roll of film. Alternatively, a rod is inserted through the roll of film as the central axle.

To consider environmental protection and cost, the roll of film is designed to be one without a reel. There is no support for the roll of film, causing the user unable to operate the roll of film with his/her hands direct. Although the rod is used in the roll of film, the rod is not adjustable. When using the film, the roll of film may be biased. This is unfavorable for packing. Sometimes, the roll of film is idle. Accordingly, the inventor of the present invention has devoted himself based on his many years of practical experiences to solve this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided an adjustable film packing device comprising:

a first tube having two ends defining a coupling end and an insertion end respectively, the first tube having at least a guiding groove formed longitudinally along an outer wall of the first tube, the guiding groove having one end extending to the coupling end to form an opening and an opposite end extending towards the insertion end, at least one side of the guiding groove being formed with a plurality of positioning recesses spaced away each other and interconnected with the guiding groove, the recesses being substantially in a rectangular shape, a limit tab being provided between each of the recesses and the guiding groove, the limit tab being parallel to the guiding groove, a first stop portion being provided on the insertion end of the first tube; and

a second tube coupled to the first tube, the second tube having two ends defining a coupling end and an insertion end respectively, a positioning block being provided on an inner wall of the second tube and close to the coupling end, the positioning block being substantially in a rectangular shape, the positioning block being inserted through the guiding groove into one of the plurality of positioning recesses, the length of the film packing device being adjustable by adjusting the position of the positioning block with respect to the plurality of recesses, a second stop portion being provided on the insertion end of the second tube.

Thereby, the length the film packing device is adjustable according to the width of a roll of film which doesn't have a reel therein, preventing the roll of film from being idle and biased. This facilitates packing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a first tube according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of a positioning recess according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a second tube according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a positioning block inserted in a guiding groove according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the positioning block inserted in the positioning recess according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the first embodiment of the present invention when in use;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the present invention when in use; and

FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged view according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, a film packing device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a first tube 10 and a second tube 20 which are made of plastic material.

The first tube 10 has two ends defining a coupling end 11 and an insertion end 12. The first tube 10 further has a coupling section 111 close to the coupling end 11 and an insertion section 121 close to the insertion end 12. The insertion section 121 has an outer diameter slightly greater than that of the coupling section 111 such that a shoulder 122 is formed at the junction of the insertion section 121 and the coupling section 111. The shoulder 122 is adapted to stop a front end of the second tube 20 when the first tube 10 and the second tube 20 are coupled together. The outer diameter of the insertion section 121 is equal to the outer diameter of the second tube 20 for keeping the same diameter of the film packing device 100. The first tube 10 has at least a guiding groove 13 formed longitudinally along an outer wall of the first tube 10. In this embodiment, the first tube 10 has a pair of guiding grooves 13 thereon. Each of the pair of guiding grooves 13 has one end extending to the coupling end 11 to form an enlarged opening 131 and an opposite end extending towards the insertion end 12. The first tube 10 further has six positioning recesses 14 on top of the groove 13 at a front side thereof. The six positioning recesses 14 are spaced away each other and interconnected with the guiding groove 13. In the same way, there are six corresponding recesses 14 formed underneath the guiding groove 13 at a rear side of the first tube 10. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the recesses 14 is substantially in a rectangular shape, and a limit tab 15 is provided between each of the recesses 14 and the guiding groove 13. The limit tab 15 is parallel to the guiding groove 13. In addition, a first stop portion 16 is provided on the insertion end 12 of the first tube 10. In this embodiment, the first stop portion 16 is an annular flange extending outwardly from the insertion end 12 of the first tube 10. A connecting portion 17 disposed between the first stop portion 16 and the first tube 10 is gradually enlarged towards the first stop portion 16 such that the insertion end 12 of the first tube 10 is in the form of a bell. The connecting portion 17 between the first stop portion 16 and the first tube 10 is provided with a plurality of ribs 18 thereon. Each of the ribs 18 is gradually protruded towards the first stop portion 16.

The second tube 20 has two ends defining a coupling end 21 and an insertion end 22. Referring to FIG. 4, two positioning blocks 23 are provided on an inner wall of the second tube 20 and close to the coupling end 21. The two positioning blocks 23 are substantially in a rectangular shape and correspond in position to the pair of guiding grooves 13 of the first tube 10. When the second tube 20 is coupled to the first tube 10, the two positioning blocks 23 will be inserted through the pair of guiding grooves 13 into relative positioning recesses 14. The length of the film packing device 100 is adjustable by means of the positioning blocks 23 to be located in a different position. A second stop portion 24 is provided on the insertion end 22 of the second tube 20. In this embodiment, the second stop portion 24 is an annular flange extending outwardly from the insertion end 22 of the second tube 20. A connecting portion 25 disposed between the second stop portion 24 and the second tube 20 is gradually enlarged towards the second stop portion 24 such that the insertion end 22 of the second tube 20 is in the form of a bell. The connecting portion 25 between the second stop portion 24 and the second tube 20 is provided with a plurality of ribs 26 thereon. Each of the ribs 26 is gradually protruded towards the second stop portion 24. The second tube 20 has an outer wall formed with at least a hole 27. In this embodiment, there is a pair of holes 27 formed on the second tube 20, corresponding in position to the positioning blocks 23.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematic views showing connection of the first tube 10 and the second tube 20. Referring to FIG. 1, the positioning blocks 23 of the second tube 20 are aligned with the pair of guiding grooves 13 of the first tube 10 and inserted from the openings 131 of the pair of guiding grooves 13. The first tube 10 and the second tube 20 are turned in opposite directions, respectively, for the positioning blocks 23 of the second tube 20 to be slid into relative positioning recesses 14 such that the first tube 10 and the second tube 20 are coupled together. The limit tab 15 provides a stop effect so that the positioning block 23 will not disengage from the positioning recess 14. FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the present invention when in use. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 7. When in use, the coupling end 11 of the first tube 10 of the film packing device 100 and the coupling end 21 of the second tube 20 are inserted in an axle 201 of a roll of film 200, respectively, with the first stop portion 16 of the first tube 10 and the second stop portion 24 of the second tube 20 holding against both sides of the roll of film 200. The first tube 10 and the second tube 20 are turned in opposite directions to complete the assembly. The user stretches out his/her fingers for inserting in the insertion end 12 of the first tube 10 and the insertion end 22 of the second tube 20 as a central axle to operate the film. The insertion end 12 of the first tube 10 and the insertion end 22 of the second tube 20 are made in the form of a bell for protecting the user's fingers from harm. Referring to FIG. 8, the ribs 18 on the insertion end 12 of the first tube 10 and the ribs 26 of the second end 22 of the second tube 20 are adapted to prop the roll of film 200 so that the roll of film 200 will not be idle when packing.

FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged view of a second embodiment of the present invention, which is substantially similar to the first embodiment with the exceptions described hereinafter. The guiding groove 13 and the recess 14 have a bottom 131 which slightly protrudes outward to form a cambered surface, such that the height of the limit tab 15 of the second embodiment is less than that of first embodiment. Accordingly, when the positioning blocks 23 of the second tube 20 are guided into relative positioning recesses 14 through the pair of guiding grooves 13, the bottom 131 will be slightly pressed downward and then restore to its original position for the limit tab 15 to hold against the positioning block 23, providing a better stop effect. The limit tab 15 is in a lower position to decrease resisting force when the positioning block 23 passes over the limit tab 15, avoiding the limit tab 15 from being broken.

Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims. 

1. An adjustable film packing device, comprising: a first tube having two ends defining a coupling end and an insertion end respectively, the first tube having at least a guiding groove formed longitudinally along an outer wall of the first tube, the guiding groove having one end extending to the coupling end to form an opening and an opposite end extending towards the insertion end, at least one side of the guiding groove being formed with a plurality of positioning recesses spaced away each other and interconnected with the guiding groove, the recesses being substantially in a rectangular shape, a limit tab being provided between each of the recesses and the guiding groove, the limit tab being parallel to the guiding groove, a first stop portion being provided on the insertion end of the first tube; a second tube coupled to the first tube, the second tube having two ends defining a coupling end and an insertion end respectively, a positioning block being provided on an inner wall of the second tube and close to the coupling end, the positioning block being substantially in a rectangular shape, the positioning block being inserted through the guiding groove into one of the plurality of positioning recesses, the length of the film packing device being adjustable by means of the positioning block to be located in a different position, a second stop portion being provided on the insertion end of the second tube; and a connecting portion disposed between the first stop portion and the first tube is provided with a plurality of ribs thereon, each of the plurality of ribs being gradually protruded towards the first stop portion.
 2. The adjustable film packing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first tube has a coupling section close to the coupling end and an insertion section close to the insertion end, the insertion section having an outer diameter slightly greater than that of the coupling section to form a shoulder at the junction of the insertion section and the coupling section, the outer diameter of the insertion section being equal to an outer diameter of the second tube.
 3. The adjustable film packing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first stop portion is an annular flange extending outwardly from the insertion end of the first tube.
 4. (canceled)
 5. The adjustable film packing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a connecting portion disposed between the first stop portion and the first tube is gradually enlarged for the insertion end of the first tube to be in the form of a bell.
 6. The adjustable film packing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second stop portion is an annular flange extending outwardly from the insertion end of the second tube.
 7. The adjustable film packing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a connecting portion disposed between the second stop portion and the second tube is provided with a plurality of ribs thereon, each of the ribs being gradually protruded towards the second stop portion.
 8. The adjustable film packing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a connecting portion disposed between the second stop portion and the second tube is gradually enlarged for the insertion end of the second tube to be in the form of a bell.
 9. The adjustable film packing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second tube has an outer wall formed with at least a hole corresponding in position to the positioning block.
 10. The adjustable film packing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guiding groove and each of the plurality of recesses have a bottom which slightly protrudes outward to form a cambered surface.
 11. The adjustable film packing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the opening of the guiding groove is enlarged outwardly. 